Medicinal composition containing 1,3-thiazine derivative

This application is a U.S. national stage of international application No. PCT/JP02/01229 filed Feb. 14, 2002.

The present invention relates to 2-imino-1,3-thiazine derivatives, in detail, 2-imino-1,3-thiazine derivatives having a binding activity to a cannabinoid type 2 receptor and pharmaceutical use of thereof.

Cannabinoid was discovered as the main active substance contained in marijuana in 1960 and found to exhibit an activity in the central nervous system (illusion, euphoria, sensory confusion of time and space) and in the peripheral cell system (immunosuppressive activity, anti-inflammatory activity, analgesic activity).

After that, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol produced from arachidonic acid-containing phospholipids were discovered as endogenous agonists to the cannabinoid receptor. These endogenous agonists are known to exhibit an activity to the central nervous system and an activity to the peripheral cell system. It is disclosed in Hypertension (1997) 29, 1204-1210 that anandamide exhibits an activity to the cardiovascular system.

A cannabinoid type 1 receptor discovered in 1990 was found to distribute in the central nervous system such as the brain. Agonists to this receptor were found to suppress the release of neurotransmitters to cause central actions such as illusion. A cannabinoid type 2 receptor discovered in 1993 was found to distribute in immune tissues such as the spleen. Agonists to this receptor were found to suppress an activation of immunocyte or inflammatory cells to exhibit an immunosuppressive activity, an anti-inflammatory activity and an analgesic activity (Nature, 1993, 365, 61-65).

Therefore, agonists to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor are expected as immunosuppressive agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and analgesic agents (Nature, 1998, 349, 277-281).

Known as compounds having an agonistic activity to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor are isoindolynone derivatives (WO97/29079 and WO99/02499), pyrazole derivatives (WO98/41519) and the like.

Furthermore, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 2001, 296, 420-425 discloses that compounds having a binding activity (an agonistic activity and/or an antagonistic activity) to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor exhibit anti-inflammatory effect.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Publications (Kokai 1986-65894, Kokai 1987-29594) disclose that organophosphorus compounds having a 2-imino-1,3-thiazine skelton are useful as insecticides.

Furthermore, WO00/42031 discloses that compounds resembling the compound of the present invention have a binding activity to the progesterone receptor.

However, it is not known that 2-imino-1,3-thiazine derivatives have a binding activity (an antagonistic activity and/or agonistic activity) to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor.

The present invention is to find compounds having a binding activity (an antagonistic activity and/or agonistic activity) to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor.

The present invention provides 2-imino-1,3-thiazine derivatives as novel compounds having a binding activity to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor.

The present invention comprises,

(1) a compound of the formula (I):

wherein R 1 is optionally substituted heterocyclic group or a group represented the formula: —C(═Z)W—R 4 wherein Z is oxygen atom or sulfur atom: W is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; R 4 is optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl or optionally substituted alkynyl;

R 2 and R 3 each is independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxyalkyl, optionally substituted aminoalkyl, or optionally substituted cycloalkyl; or

R 2 and R 3 taken together form optionally substituted alkylene which may contain a heteroatom(s);

m is an integer of 1 to 2;

A is optionally substituted aromatic carbocyclic group or optionally substituted aromatic heterocyclic group;

provided that when R 1 is a group represented by the formula: —C(═Z)W—R 4 wherein Z is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; W is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; and R 4 is unsubstituted alkyl, R 2 and R 3 taken together form optionally substituted alkylene which contains a heteroatom(s);

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(2) the compound according to (1) wherein the following formula

is the formula represented below:

wherein R 5 and R 6 each is independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted amino, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aryloxy, cycloalkyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, optionally substituted carbamoyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, optionally substituted aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, alkylthioalkoxy, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group, alkoxyiminoalkyl, or a group of the formula: —C(═O)—R H wherein R H is hydrogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group; or

R 5 and R 6 taken together form alkylenedioxy; A is aromatic carbocyclic group or aromatic heterocyclic group;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(3) the compound according to (2) wherein R 5 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n-propylthio, isopropylthio, dimethylamino, acetylamino, N-acetylmethylamino, diethylamino, ethylmethylamino, propylmethylamino, phenyl, phenoxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, N-methylcarbamoyl, methoxycarbonyl, methanesulfinyl, ethanesulfinyl, methanesulfonyl, ethanesulfonyl, acetyl, methoxymethyl, 1-methoxyethyl, 3-pyridyl, morpholino, pyrrolidino, piperidino, 2-oxopyrrolidino, 1-methoxyiminoethyl or morpholinocarbonyl;

R 6 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, fluoro, chloro, nitro, methoxy or ethoxy; or

R 5 and R 6 taken together form —O—CH 2 —O—;

A is phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl or quinolyl;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(4) the compound according to (2) wherein R 5 and R 6 each is independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, or alkylthio; A is aromatic carbocyclic group;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(5) the compound according to any one of (1) to (4) wherein m is 0;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(6) the compound according to (5) wherein R 1 is optionally substituted heterocyclic group;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(7) the compound according to (6) wherein R 1 is optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted benzothiazolyl, optionally substituted benzoxazolyl or optionally substituted thiadiazolyl;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(8) the compound according to (5) wherein a group represented by the formula: —C(═Z)W—R 4 wherein Z is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; W is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; R 4 is optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl or optionally substituted alkynyl;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(9) the compound according to (8) wherein Z and W are sulfur atom;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(10) the compound according to any one of (1) to (9) wherein R 2 and R 3 each is independently methyl, ethyl, propyl or methoxymethyl; or R 2 and R 3 taken together form ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene or ethyleneoxyethylene;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(11) the compound according to (1) represented by the formula:

wherein R 2 and R 3 each is independently optionally substituted alkyl; R 2 and R 3 taken together form optionally substituted alkylene which may contain heteroatom;

R 4 is optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl or optionally substituted alkynyl;

R 5 is alkyl, alkoxy, or optionally substituted amino;

R 6 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, optionally substituted amino or haloalkoxy;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(12) the compound according to (11) wherein R 4 is optionally substituted alkyl (substituent is cyano, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxyalkoxycarbonyl, optionally substituted carbamoyl (substituent is alkyl or alkoxy), halogen, alkylcarbonyloxy, aryloxy, optionally substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group (substituent is alkyl), optionally substituted aromatic heterocyclic group (substituent is alkyl or aryl), or a group represented by the formula: —O—R 1 wherein R 1 is non-aromatic heterocyclic group), alkenyl or alkynyl;

a prodrug of itself, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof,

(13) the compound according to (1) wherein A is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl, or optionally substituted quinolyl;

a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(14) a pharmaceutical composition which comprises the compound according to any one of (1) to (13), a prodrug, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof,

(15) the pharmaceutical composition according to (14) which has a binding activity to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor,

(16) the pharmaceutical composition according to (15) which has an agonistic activity to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor,

(17) the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of (14) to (16) which is useful as an anti-inflammatory agent,

(18) a method for treating inflammation which comprises administering the pharmaceutical composition according to (1),

(19) use of the compound according to (1) for manufacturing an anti-inflammatory agent,

(20) the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of (14) to (16) which is useful as an immunosuppressive agent,

(21) the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of (14) to (16) which is useful as a nephritis treating agent,

(22) the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of (14) to (16) which is useful as an analgesic agent,

(23) a method for treating immunosuppression which comprises administering the pharmaceutical composition according to (1),

(24) a method for treating nephritis which comprises administering the pharmaceutical composition according to (1),

(25) a method for treating pain which comprises administering the pharmaceutical composition according to (1),

(26) use of the compound according to (1) for manufacturing an immunosuppressive agent,

(27) use of the compound according to (1) for manufacturing a nephritis treating agent,

(28) use of the compound according to (1) for manufacturing an analgesic agent.

The compound represented by the formula (I) comprises,

1) 1,3-thiazine ring is substituted at 3-position with optionally substituted heterocyclic group or a group represented by the formula —C(═Z)W—R 4 wherein Z is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; W is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; R 4 is optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, or optionally substituted alkynyl, 2) 1,3-thiazine ring is substituted at 2-position with a group represented by the formula ═N—(CH 2 ) m -A wherein m is an integer of 0 to 2; A is optionally substituted aromatic carbocyclic group or optionally substituted aromatic heterocyclic group,

As the compound represented by the formula (I) preferred are the following cases:

1) the substituent on A ring is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted amino, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aryloxy, cycloalkyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, optionally substituted carbamoyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, optionally substituted aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, alkylthioalkoxy, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group, or a group represented by the formula: —C(═O)—R H wherein R H is hydrogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group, 2) A ring is substituted with alkylenedioxy at the neighboring positions, 3) m is 0, 4) R 1 is optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted benzothiazolyl, optionally substituted benzoxazolyl, or optionally substituted thiazolyl, 5) R 1 is a group represented by the formula —C(═Z)W—R 4 wherein Z is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; W is oxygen atom or sulfur atom: R 4 is optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, or optionally substituted alkynyl, 6) R 1 is a group represented by the formula —C(═Z)W—R 4 wherein Z is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; W is oxygen atom or sulfur atom; R 4 is substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, or optionally substituted alkynyl, 7) R 1 and R 2 each is independently methyl, ethyl, propyl, or methoxymethyl; or R 1 and R 2 taken together form ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, or ethyleneoxyethylene, 8) A ring is monocyclic aromatic wherein an atom neighboring to the bonding position is substituted with branched alkyl, 9) R 2 and R 3 taken together form optionally substituted alkylene which may contain a heteroatom(s).

The meanings of each term used in compound of the formula (I) are explained below. Each term employed alone or in the combination with other terms is used to express the same meaning.

The term “alkyl” includes a C1-C10 straight or branched alkyl, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-noyl, n-decyl or the like. Preferred is a C1-C4 straight or branched alkyl, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl.

The term “alkenyl” includes a C2-C8 straight or branched alkenyl which is the above “alkyl” having one or more double bond, for example, vinyl, 1-propenyl, allyl, isopropenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 1,3-butadienyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl or the like.

The term “alkynyl” includes a C2-C8 straight or branched alkynyl which is the above “alkyl” having one or more triple bond, for example, etynyl or the like.

The term “alkoxy” includes an oxygen atom substituted with the above “alkyl”, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, n-pentyloxy, n-hexyloxy, n-heptyloxy, n-octyloxy or the like. Preferred is a C1-C4 straight or branched alkoxy, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy and tert-butoxy.

The term “alkoxyalkyl” includes the above “alkyl” substituted with the above “alkoxy”, for example, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, n-propoxymethyl, 1-methoxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 1-ethoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 1-n-propoxyethyl, 2-n-propoxyethyl, 1-methoxy-n-propyl, 2-methoxy-n-propyl, 3-methoxy-n-propyl, 1-ethoxy-n-propyl, 2-ethoxy-n-propyl, 3-ethoxy-n-propyl, 1-n-propoxy-n-propyl, 2-n-propoxy-n-propyl, 3-n-propoxy-n-propyl or the like.

Examples of substituents of “optionally substituted amino” include alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or the like), acyl (e.g., formyl, acetyl, propionyl, benzoyl or the like) or the like. A nitrogen atom of an amino group may be mono- or di-substituted with these substituents.

Examples of “optionally substituted amino” include amino, methylamino, ethylamino, n-propylamino, isopropylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, ethylmethylamino, acetylamino, N-acetylmethylamino, propylmethylamino or the like.

The term “optionally substituted aminoalkyl” includes the above “alkyl” substituted with the above “optionally substituted amino”, for example, aminomethyl, methylaminomethyl, ethylaminomethyl, n-propylaminomethyl, isopropylaminomethyl, N,N-dimethylaminomethyl, N,N-diethylaminomethyl, N-ethyl-N-methylaminomethyl, acetylaminomethyl, N-acetylmethylaminomethyl, N-propyl-N-methylaminomethyl or the like.

The term “cycloalkyl” includes C3-C10 saturated carbocyclic group, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl or the like. Preferred is C3-C6 cycloalkyl, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl.

The term “alkylene which may contain heteroatom” includes a C2-C10 straight or branched alkylene which may contain one to three heteroatom(s), for example, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, methylenedioxy, ethylenedioxy, ethyleneoxyethylene or the like. Especially preferred is C3-C5 straight alkylene which may contain one heteroatom, for example, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, ethyleneoxyethylene, ethyleneaminoethylene, ethylenethioethylene.

The term “aromatic carbocyclic group” includes a C6-C14 aromatic carbocyclic group, for example, phenyl, naphthyl (1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl) anthryl, phenanthryl or the like. Preferred is phenyl or naphthyl (1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl).

The term “aromatic heterocyclic group” includes a C1-C14 monocyclic aromatic heterocyclic group or a C1-C14 aromatic heterocyclic group containing two or three fused rings, each containing one to four nitrogen atom(s), oxygen atom(s) and/or sulfur atom(s), for example, furyl (e.g., 2-furyl, 3-furyl), thienyl (e.g., 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl), pyrrolyl (e.g., 1-pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl), imidazolyl (e.g., 1-imidazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl), pyrazolyl (e.g., 1-pyrazolyl, 3-pyrazolyl, 4-pyrazolyl), triazolyl (e.g., 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-3-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-4-yl), tetrazolyl (e.g., 1-tetrazolyl, 2-tetrazolyl, 5-tetrazolyl), oxazolyl (e.g., 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl), isoxazolyl (e.g., 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl), thiazolyl (e.g., 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl), thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl (e.g., 3-isothiazolyl, 4-isothiazolyl, 5-isothiazolyl), pyridyl (e.g., 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl), pyridazinyl (e.g., 3-pyridazinyl, 4-pyridazinyl), pyrimidinyl (e.g., 2-pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 5-pyrimidinyl), furazanyl (e.g., 3-furazanyl), pyrazinyl (e.g., 2-pyrazinyl), oxadiazolyl (e.g., 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl), benzofuryl (e.g., 2-benzo[b]furyl, 3-benzo[b]furyl, 4-benzo[b]furyl, 5-benzo[b]furyl, 6-benzo[b]furyl, 7-benzo[b]furyl), benzothienyl (e.g., 2-benzo[b]thienyl, 3-benzo[b]thienyl, 4-benzo [b]thienyl, 5-benzo [b]thienyl, 6-benzo [b]thienyl, 7-benzo [b]thienyl), benzimidazolyl (e.g., 1-benzimidazolyl, 2-benzimidazolyl, 4-benzimidazolyl, 5-benzimidazolyl), dibenzofuryl, benzoxazolyl, quinoxalinyl (e.g., 2-quinoxalinyl, 5-quinoxalinyl, 6-quinoxalinyl), cinnolinyl (e.g., 3-cinnolinyl, 4-cinnolinyl, 5-cinnolinyl, 6-cinnolinyl, 7-cinnolinyl, 8-cinnolinyl), quinazolinyl (e.g., 2-quinazolinyl, 4-quinazolinyl, 5-quinazolinyl, 6-quinazolinyl, 7-quinazolinyl, 8-quinazolinyl), quinolyl (e.g., 2-quinolyl, 3-quinolyl, 4-quinolyl, 5-quinolyl, 6-quinolyl, 7-quinolyl, 8-quinolyl), phthalazinyl (e.g., 1-phthalazinyl, 5-phthalazinyl, 6-phthalazinyl), isoquinolyl (e.g., 1-isoquinolyl, 3-isoquinolyl, 4-isoquinolyl, 5-isoquinolyl, 6-isoquinolyl, 7-isoquinolyl, 8-isoquinolyl), puryl, pteridinyl (e.g., 2-pteridinyl, 4-pteridinyl, 6-pteridinyl, 7-pteridinyl), carbazolyl, phenanthridinyl, acridinyl (e.g., 1-acridinyl, 2-acridinyl, 3-acridinyl, 4-acridinyl, 9-acridinyl), indolyl (e.g., 1-indolyl, 2-indolyl, 3-indolyl, 4-indolyl, 5-indolyl, 6-indolyl, 7-indolyl), isoindolyl, phenazinyl (e.g., 1-phenazinyl, 2-phenazinyl) or phenothiadinyl (e.g., 1-phenothiadinyl, 2-phenothiadinyl, 3-phenothiadinyl, 4-phenothiadinyl) or the like.

Especially preferred is pyridyl, quinolyl (especially 5-quinolyl) or isoqunolyl as “aromatic heterocyclic group” of A.

The term “heterocyclic group” includes a C1-C14 monocyclic heterocyclic group or a C1-C14 heterocyclic group containing two or three fused rings, each containing one to four nitrogen atom(s), oxygen atom(s) and/or sulfur atom(s), for example, above “aromatic heterocyclic group” or non-aromatic heterocyclic group.

The term “non-aromatic heterocyclic group” includes a C1-C14 monocyclic non-aromatic heterocyclic group or C1-C14 non-aromatic heterocyclic group containing two or three fused rings, each containing one to four nitrogen atom(s), oxygen atom(s) and/or sulfur atom(s), for example, 1-pyrrolinyl, 2-pyrrolinyl, 3-pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidino, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 1-imidazolinyl, 2-imidazolinyl, 4-imidazolinyl, 1-imidazolidinyl, 2-imidazolidinyl, 4-imidazolidinyl, 1-pyrazolinyl, 3-pyrazolinyl, 4-pyrazolinyl, 1-pyrazolidinyl, 3-pyrazolidinyl, 4-pyrazolidinyl, piperidino, 2-piperidyl, 3-piperidyl, 4-piperidyl, piperazino, 2-piperazinyl, 2-morpholinyl, 3-morpholinyl, morpholino, tetrahydropyranyl or the like. Preferred is morpholino, pyrrolidino, piperidino or piperazino.

When R 1 is heterocyclic group, preferred is aromatic heterocyclic group, especially monocyclic or dicyclic aromatic heterocyclic group. Especially preferred is pyridyl (e.g., pyridin-2-yl or the like), thiazolyl (e.g., thiazol-2-yl or the like), benzothiazolyl (e.g., benzothiazol-2-yl or the like), benzoxazolyl (e.g., benzoxazol-2-yl or the like).

Examples of the substituents of “optionally substituted heterocyclic group”, “optionally substituted alkyl”, “optionally substituted alkenyl”, “optionally substituted alkynyl”, “optionally substituted alkoxyalkyl”, “optionally substituted cycloalkyl”, “optionally substituted alkylene which may contain heteroatom”, “optionally substituted aromatic carbocyclic group” and “optionally substituted aromatic heterocyclic group” include alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted amino, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group, optionally substituted aryloxy, cycloalkyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, optionally substituted carbamoyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, optionally substituted aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkoxycarbonyl, alkylthioalkoxy, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group, alkoxyiminoalkyl, a group of the formula: —C(═O)—R H wherein R H is hydrogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group), arylsulfonyl (e.g., benzenesulfonyl or the like), cyano, hydroxy amino, aralkyl (e.g., benzyl or the like), mercapto, hydrazino, amidino, guanidino, isocyano, isocyanato, thiocyanato, isothiocyanato, sulfamoyl, formyloxy, haloformyl, oxalo, thioformyl, thiocarboxy, dithiocarboxy, thiocarbamoyl, sulfino, sulfo, sulfoamino, azido, ureido, amidino, guanidino, oxo, thioxo, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylenedioxy, a group represented by the formula: —O—R I (wherein R I is non-aromatic heterocyclic group), aralkyloxy, aralkylthio, aralkylamino or the like.

These substituents may substitute at any substitutable positions. A divalent group described above may substitute at the same or different positions on the ring.

As the substituent of “optionally substituted heterocyclic group” of R 1 , among the substituents examplified above, especially preferred is alkyl (e.g., methyl or the like), alkoxy (e.g., methoxy or the like), alkylthio (e.g., methylthio or the like), optionally substituted amino, cycloalkyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, optionally substituted carbamoyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, optionally substituted aminoalkyl, a group represented by the formula: —C(═O)—R H wherein R H is hydrogen or alkyl, cyano, hydroxyamino, mercapto or the like.

As the substituents of “optionally substituted alkyl”, “optionally substituted alkenyl”, “optionally substituted alkynyl”, “optionally substituted alkoxyalkyl” and “optionally substituted cycloalkyl” of R 4 , among the substituents examplified above, especially preferred is alkoxy (e.g., methoxy or the like), alkenyloxy (e.g., vinyloxy or the like), optionally substituted heteroaryl (e.g., heteroaryl (e.g. isoxazolyl, oxazolyl or the like) optionally substituted with alkyl (e.g., methyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl or the like) or aryl (e.g., phenyl)), non-aromatic heterocyclic group (e.g., morpholino, 4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-yl, 1,3-dioxolane or the like) optionally substituted with alkyl (e.g., methyl), aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy or the like), halogen (e.g., fluoro), hydroxy, haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl or the like), optionally substituted carbamoyl (e.g., unsubstituted carbamoyl, N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl, N-methyl-N-methoxycarbamoyl or the like), carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl (e.g., methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n-propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl or the like), alkenyloxycarbonyl (e.g., vinyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl or the like), alkoxyalkoxycarbonyl (e.g., 2-methoxyethyloxycarbonyl or the like), a group represented by the formula: —C(═O)—R H wherein R H is hydrogen or alkyl (e.g., formyl, acetyl or the like), cyano, oxo, alkylcarbonyloxy (e.g., acetyloxy or the like), alkylenedioxy (e.g., ethylenedioxy or the like), a group represented by the formula: —O—R I wherein R I is non-aromatic heterocyclic group (e.g., tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy or the like), or the like.

As the substituents of “optionally substituted alkylene which may contain heteroatom”, “optionally substituted aromatic carbocyclic group”, and “optionally substituted aromatic heterocyclic group” of A, among the substituents examplified above, especially preferred is alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl or the like), alkoxy (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy or the like), optionally substituted amino (e.g., dimethylamino, diethylamino, ethylmethylamino or the like), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl or the like), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy or the like), aralkyl (e.g., benzyl or the like). The substituent of “alkylene which may contain heteroatom” and “aromatic heterocyclic group” may substituted on heteroatom (nitrogen atom).

Especially when A is monocyclic aromatic (e.g., phenyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isooxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl or the like), preferred is that an atom neighboring to the bonding position is substituted with branched alkyl. The branched alkyl include C1-C10 branched alkyl, for example, isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, tert-pentyl, isohexyl or the like. Especially preferred is C3 or C4 branched alkyl, for example, isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl.

The term “halogen” includes fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. Preferred is fluoro, chloro or bromo.

The term “alkenyloxy” includes an oxygen atom substituted with the above “alkenyl”, for example, vinyloxy, 1-propenyloxy, allyloxy, isopropenyloxy, 1-butenyloxy, 2-butenyloxy, 3-butenyloxy, 2-pentenyloxy, 1,3-butadienyloxy, 3-methyl-2-butenyoxy or the like.

The term “alkylthio” includes a sulfur atom substituted with the above “alkyl”, for example, methylthio, ethylthio, n-propylthio, isopropylthio, n-butylthio, isobutylthio, sec-butylthio, t-butylthio, n-pentylthio, n-hexylthio or the like. Preferred is a C1-C4 straight or branched alkylthio, for example, methylthio, ethylthio, n-propylthio, isopropylthio, n-butylthio, isobutylthio, sec-butylthio and t-butylthio.

The term “aryl” includes above “aromatic carbocyclic group”, for example, phenyl, naphthyl (1-naphthyl or 2-naphthyl), anthryl, phenanthryl or the like. Especially preferred is phenyl or naphthyl (1-naphthyl or 2-naphthyl).

The term “heteroaryl” includes above “aromatic hetercyclic group” for example, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, furazanyl, pyrazinyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, benzimidazolyl, dibenzofuryl, benzoxazolyl, quinoxalinyl, cinnolinyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, phthalazinyl, isoquinolinyl, puryl, pteridinyl, carbazolyl, phenanthridinyl, acridinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, phenazinyl, phenothiadinyl or the like. Preferred is pyridine, quinoline or isoquinoline.

The term “aryloxy” includes an oxygen atom substituted with the above “aryl”, for example, phenoxy, naphthoxy (e.g., 1-naphthoxy, 2-naphthoxy or the like), anthryloxy (e.g., 1-anthryloxy, 2-anthryloxy or the like), phenanthryl (e.g., 1-phenanthryl, 2-phenanthryl or the like) or the like.

The term “haloalkyl” includes the above “alkyl” substituted with one or more halogen, especially preferred is C1-C3 haloalkyl, for example, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, difluoromethyl, 1-chloroethyl, 2-chloroethyl, 1,1-dichloroethyl. 1.2-dichloroethyl, 2.2-dichloroethyl, 2.2.2-trichloroethyl or the like.

The term “haloalkoxy” includes oxygen atom substituted with the above “haloalkyl”, for example, dichloromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy (2,2.2-trifluoroethoxy or the like) or the like.

Examples of the substituents of “optionally substituted carbamoyl” include alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or the like), acyl (e.g., formyl, acetyl, propionyl, benzoyl or the like) or the like. The nitrogen atom of carbamoyl group may be mono- or di-substituted with these substituents. Preferred as “optionally substituted carbamoyl” is carbamoyl, N-methylcarbamoyl or N-ethylcarbamoyl.

The term “alkoxycarbonyl” include carbonyl substituted with the above “alkoxy”, for example, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n-propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, n-butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, sec-butoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, n-pentyloxycarbonyl, n-hexyloxycarbonyl, n-heptylcarbonyl, n-octyloxycarbonyl or the like.

The term “alkenyloxycarbonyl” includes carbonyl substituted with the above “alkenyloxy”, for example, vinyloxycarbonyl, 1-propenyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl, isopropenyloxycarbonyl, 1-butenyloxycarbonyl, 2-butenyloxycarbonyl, 3-butenyloxycarbonyl, 2-pentenyloxycarbonyl, 1,3-butadienyloxycarbonyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyloxycarbonyl or the like.

The term “alkylsulfinyl” includes sulfinyl substituted with the above “alkyl”. Preferred is methanesulfinyl, ethanesulfinyl or the like.

The term “alkylsulfonyl” includes sulfonyl substituted with the above “alkyl”. Preferred is methanesulfonyl, ethanesulfonyl or the like.

The term “alkylthioalkyl” includes the above “alkyl” substituted with the above “alkylthio”, for example, methylthiomethyl, ethylthiomethyl, n-propylthiomethyl, 1-methylthioethyl, 2-methylthioethyl, 1-ethylthioethyl, 2-ethylthioethyl, 1-n-propylthioethyl, 2-n-propylthioethyl, 3-n-propylthioethyl, 1-methylthio-n-propyl, 2-methylthio-n-propyl, 3-methylthio-n-propyl, 1-ethylthio-n-propyl, 2-ethylthio-n-propyl, 3-ethylthio-n-propyl, 1-n-propylthio-n-propyl, 2-n-propylthio-n-propyl, 3-n-propylthio-n-propyl or the like.

The term “alkoxyalkoxy” includes the above “alkoxy” substituted with the above “alkoxy”, for example, methoxymethoxy, ethoxymethoxy, n-propoxymethoxy, isopropoxymethoxy, 1-methoxyethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy or the like.

The term “alkoxyalkoxycarbonyl” includes carbonyl substituted with the above “alkoxyalkoxy”, for example, methoxymethoxycarbonyl, ethoxymethoxycarbonyl, n-propoxymethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxymethoxycarbonyl, 1-methoxyethoxycarbonyl, 2-methoxyethoxycarbonyl or the like.

The term “alkylthioalkoxy” includes the above “alkoxy” substituted with the above “alkylthio”, for example, methylthiomethoxy, ethylthiomethoxy, n-propylthiomethoxy, isopropylthiomethoxy, 1-methylthioethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy or the like.

The term “alkoxyiminoalkyl” include the above “alkyl” substituted with alkoxyimino, for example, methoxyiminomethyl, ethoxyiminomethyl, 1-methoxyiminoethyl or the like.

Examples of a group of the formula: —C(═O)—R H wherein R H is hydrogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group include formyl, acetyl, benzoyl, toluoyl, morpholinocarbonyl or the like.

The term “arylsulfonyl” includes sulfonyl substituted with the above “aryl”, especially preferred is benzenesulfonyl.

The term “aralkyl” includes the above “alkyl” substituted with the above “aryl”, for example, benzyl, phenylethyl (e.g., 1-phenylethyl, 2-phenylethyl), phenylpropyl (e.g., 1-phenylpropyl, 2-phenylpropyl, 3-phenylpropyl or the like), naphthylmethyl (e.g., 1-naphthylmethyl, 2-naphthylmethyl or the like) or the like.

The term of “alkylcarbonyloxy” includes carbonyloxy substituted with the above “alkyl”, for example methylcarbonyloxy, ethylcarbonyloxy, n-propylcarbonyloxy, isopropylcarbonyloxy, n-butylcarbonyloxy, isobutylcarbonyloxy, sec-butylcarbonyloxy, tert-butylcarbonyloxy, n-pentylcarbonyloxy, isopentylcarbonyloxy, neopentylcarbonyloxy, tert-pentylcarbonyloxy, n-hexylcarbonyloxy, isohexylcarbonyloxy, n-heptylcarbonyloxy, n-octylcarbonyloxy, n-nonylcarbonyloxy, n-dodecylcarbonyloxy or the like.

The term of “alkylenedioxy” includes dioxy substituted with C1-C6 straight or branched alkylene, and can substitute on the same or different atom. For example, preferred is methylenedioxy (—O—CH 2 —O—), ethylenedioxy (—O—CH 2 —CH 2 —O—), propylenedioxy (—O—CH 2 —CH 2 —CH 2 —O—) or the like.

Examples of a group represented by the formula: —O—R I wherein R I is non-aromatic heterocyclic group include, 1-pyrrolynyloxy, 2-pyrrolynyloxy, 3-pyrrolynyloxy, pyrrolidinoxy, 2-pyrrolidinoxy, 3-pyrrolidinoxy, 1-imidazolynyloxy, 2-imidazolynyloxy, 4-imidazolynyloxy, 1-pyrazolynyloxy, 3-pyrazolynyloxy, 4-pyrazolynyloxy, 1-pyrazolydinyloxy, 3-pyrazolydinyloxy, 4-pyrazolydinyloxy, piperidinoxy, 2-piperidinoxy, 3-piperidinoxy, 4-piperidinoxy, piperadinoxy, 2-piperadinoxy, 2-morpholinyloxy, 3-morpholinyloxy, morpholinoxy, teterahydropyran-2-yloxy or the like.

The term “aralkyloxy” includes an oxygen atom substituted with the above “aralkyl”, for example, benzyloxy, phenylethyloxy (e.g., 1-phenylethyloxy, 2-phenylethyloxy), phenylpropoxy (e.g., 1-phenylpropyloxy, 2-phenylpropyloxy, 3-phenylpropyloxy or the like), naphthylmethoxy (e.g., 1-naphthylmethoxy, 2-naphthylmethoxy or the like) or the like.

The term “aralkylthio” includes a sulfur atom substituted with the above “aralkyl”, for example, benzylthio, phenylethylthio (e.g., 1-phenylethylthio, 2-phenylethylthio), phenylpropylthio (e.g., 1-phenylpropylthio, 2-phenylpropylthio, 3-phenylpropylthio or the like), naphthylmethylthio (e.g., 1-naphthylmethylthio, 2-naphthylmethylthio or the like) or the like.

The term “aralkylamino” includes a nitrogen atom substituted with one or two of the above “aralkyl”, for example, benzylamino, phenylethylamino (e.g., 1-phenylethylamino, 2-phenylethylamino), phenylpropylamino (e.g., 1-phenylpropylamino, 2-phenylpropylamino, 3-phenylpropylamino), naphthylmethylamino (e.g., 1-naphthylmethylamino, 2-naphthylmethylamino or the like), dibenzylamino or the like.

The tem “m” is an integer of 0 to 2. Preferred as “m” is 0.

The term “an agonistic activity to a cannabinoid type 2 receptor” includes agonizing a cannabinoid type 2 receptor.

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared in accordance with the following processes.

wherein each symbol as defined above.

Process 1

This is a process for producing a compound of the formula (IV) which comprises converting amino group of a compound of the formula (III) to isothiocyanic acid ester (isothiocyanate).

A method for converting amino group to isothio cyanic acid ester (isothiocyanate) includes the following methods; 1) a method which comprises reacting the starting compound with carbon disulfide in the presence of a base such as ammonia (NH 3 , NH 4 OH), triethylamine (Et 3 N) and reacting the obtained dithiocarbamate with ethyl chlorocarboxylate (ClCO 2 Et) and triethylamine (Et 3 N), 2) a method which comprises reacting the above dithiocarbamate with acid metalate such as lead nitrate or the like, 3) a method of reacting thiophosgene (CSCl 2 ) and 4) a method of reacting thiocarbonyldiimidazole or the like.

In the above 1), a base (1.0 to 1.5 mole equivalent) and carbon disulfide (1.0 to 1.5 mole equivalent) are added to a solution of a compound of the formula (III) in an aprotic solvent (e.g., diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform or the like) and the mixture is stirred for 0.5 to 10 hours. After that, ethyl chlorocarboxylate (1.0 to 1.5 mole equivalent) and triethylamine (1.0 to 1.5 mole equivalent) are added thereto and the mixture is stirred in the same solvent for 0.5 to 10 h. The reaction temperature is preferably 0 to 100° C., especially 0° C. to room temperature.

In the above 3), thiophosgene (1.0 to 1.5 mole equivalent) is added to a solution of the compound of the formula (III) in an aprotic solvent (e.g., diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform or the like) and stirred for 0.5 to 10 h. The reaction temperature is preferably 0 to 100° C., especially 0° C. to room temperature.

In the above 4), thiocarbonyldiimidazole (1.0 to 1.5 mole equivalent) is added to a solution of the compound of the formula (III) in an aprotic solvent (e.g., diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform or the like) and stirred for 0.5 to 10 h. The reaction temperature is preferably 0 to 100° C., especially 0° C. to room temperature.

Examples of the compound of the formula (III) wherein m is 0 include aniline, 2-methylaniline, 2-ethylaniline, 2-n-propylaniline, 2-isopropylaniline, 2-n-butylaniline, 2-sec-butylaniline, 2-t-butylaniline, 3-methylaniline, 3-isopropylaniline, 3-isopropyl-4-methylaniline, 3-t-butylaniline, 4-methylaniline, 4-i-propylaniline, 2,6-dimethylaniline, 2,3-dimethylaniline, 2,4-dimethylaniline, 3,4-diethylaniline, 2,5-dimethylaniline, 3,4-dimethylaniline, 3,5-dimethylaniline, 2,6-diethylaniline, 2,6-di-isopropylaniline, 2-methoxyaniline, 2-ethoxyaniline, 2-isopropoxyaniline, 3-methoxyaniline, 3,5-dimethoxyaniline, 3-n-butoxyaniline, 4-n-butoxyaniline, 4-ethoxyaniline, 3,4-dimethoxyaniline, 2-methylthioaniline, 2-ethylthioaniline, 2-isopropylthioaniline, 2-N,N-dimethylaminoaniline, 2-phenylaniline, 3-phenylaniline, 4-phenoxyaniline, 2-cyclohexylaniline, 2-cyclopentylaniline, 2-nitroaniline, 2,4-dinitroaniline, 2-fluoroaniline, 2-chloroaniline, 4-chloroaniline, 2,3-dichloroaniline, 3,4-dichloroaniline, 2-isopropyl-4-nitroaniline, 2-isopropyl-6-nitroaniline, 2-hydroxyaniline, 2-N,N-dimethylaminocarbonylaniline, 2-N-acetylaniline, 2-(1-ethylpropyl)aniline, 2-isopropyl4-methylaniline, 2-isopropyl-4-hydroxyaniline, 2-isopropyl-4-chloroaniline, 2-isopropyl-4-aminoaniline, 2-isopropyl-5-methylaniline, 2-isopropyl-5-hydroxy aniline, 2-isopropyl-5-chloroaniline, 4-chloro-3-methylaniline. 3,4-methylenedioxyaniline or the like.

Examples of the compound of the formula (III) wherein m is 1 include benzylamine, 2-methylbenzylamine, 2-ethylbenzylamine, 2-n-propylbenzylamine, 2-isopropylbenzylamine, 2-n-butylbenzylamine, 2-sec-butylbenzylamine, 2-t-butylbenzylamine, 3-methylbenzylamine, 3-isopropylbenzylamine, 3-isopropyl-4-methylbenzylamine, 3-t-butylbenzylamine, 4-methylbenzylamine, 4-i-propylbenzylamine, 2,6-dimethylbenzylamine, 2,3-dimethylbenzylamine, 2,4-dimethylbenzylamine, 3,4-diethylbenzylamine, 2,5-dimethylbenzylamine, 3,4-dimethylbenzylamine, 3,5-dimethylbenzylamine, 2,6-diethylbenzylamine, 2,6-di-isopropylbenzylamine, 2-methoxybenzylamine, 2-ethoxybenzylamine, 2-isopropoxybenzylamine, 3-methoxybenzylamine, 3,5-dimethoxybenzylamine, 3-n-butoxybenzylamine, 4-n-butoxybenzylamine, 4-ethoxybenzylamine, 3,4-dimethoxybenzylamine, 2-methylthiobenzylamine, 2-ethylthiobenzylamine, 2-isopropylthiobenzylamine, 2-N,N-dimethylaminobenzylamine, 2-phenylbenzylamine, 3-phenylbenzylamine, 4-phenoxybenzylamine, 2-cyclohexylbenzylamine, 2-cyclopentylbenzylamine, 2-nitrobenzylamine, 2,4-dinitrobenzylamine, 2-fluorobenzylamine, 2-chlorobenzylamine, 4-chlorobenzylamine, 2,3-dichlorobenzylamine, 3,4-dichlorobenzylamine, 2-i-propyl-4-nitrobenzylamine, 2-i-propyl-6-nitrobenzylamine, 2-hydroxybenzylamine, 2-N,N-dimethylaminocarbonylbenzylamine, 2-N-acetylbenzylamine, 2-(1-ethylpropyl)benzylamine, 2-isopropyl4-methylbenzylamine, 2-isopropyl-4-hydroxybenzylamine, 2-isopropyl-4-chlorobenzylamine, 2-isopropyl-4-aminobenzylamine, 2-isopropyl-5-methylbenzylamine, 2-isopropyl-5-hydroxybenzylamine, 2-isopropyl-5-chlorobenzylamine, 4-chloro-3-methylbenzylamine, 3,4-methylenedioxybenzylamine or the like.

Examples of the compound of the formula (III) wherein m is 2 include phenethylamine, 2-methylphenethylamine, 2-ethylphenethylamine, 2-n-propylphenethylamine, 2-isopropylphenethylamine, 2-n-butylphenethylamine, 2-sec-butylphenethylamine, 2-t-butylphenethylamine, 3-methylphenethylamine, 3-isopropylphenethylamine, 3-isopropyl-4-methylphenethylamine , 3-t-butylphenethylamine, 4-methylphenethylamine, 4-isopropylphenethylamine, 2,6-dimethylphenethylamine, 2,3-dimethylphenethylamine, 2,4-dimethylphenethylamine, 3,4-diethylphenethylamine, 2,5-dimethylphenethylamine, 3,4-dimethylphenethylamine, 3,5-dimethylphenethylamine, 2,6-diethylphenethylamine, 2,6-di-isopropylphenethylamine, 2-methoxyphenethylamine, 2-ethoxyphenethylamine, 2-i-propoxyphenethylamine, 3-methoxyphenethylamine, 3,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, 3-n-butoxyphenethylamine, 4-n-butoxyphenethylamine, 4-ethoxyphenethylamine, 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine, 2-methylthiophenethylamine, 2-ethylthiophenethylamine, 2-isopropylthiophenethylamine, 2-N,N-dimethylaminophenethylamine, 2-phenylphenethylamine, 3-phenylphenethylamine, 4-phenoxyphenethylamine, 2-cyclohexylphenethylamine, 2-cyclopentylphenethylamine, 2-nitrophenethylamine, 2,4-dinitrophenethylamine, 2-fluorophenethylamine, 2-chlorophenethylamine, 4-chlorophenethylamine, 2,3-dichlorophenethylamine, 3,4-dichlorophenethylamine, 2-i-propyl-4-nitrophenethylamine, 2-isopropyl-6-nitrophenethylamine, 2-hydroxyphenethylamine, 2-N,N-dimethylaminocarbonylphenethylamine, 2-N-acetylphenethylamine, 2-(1-ethylpropyl)phenethylamine, 2-isopropyl4-methylphenethylamine, 2-isopropyl-4-hydroxyphenethylamine, 2-isopropyl-4-chlorophenethylamine, 2-isopropyl-4-aminophenethylamine, 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenethylamine, 2-isopropyl-5-hydroxyphenethylamine, 2-isopropyl-5-chlorophenethylamine, 4-chloro-3-methylphenethylamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine or the like.

Process 2

This is a process for producing a compound of the formula (V) which comprises reacting an isothiocyanate of the compound of the formula (IV) with NH 2 —CH 2 C(R 2 )R 3 CH 2 —OH.

This process can be carried out in an aprotic solvent (e.g., diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform or the like).

The reaction temperature is preferably 0 to 100° C., especially 0° C. to room temperature. The reaction time is 0.5 to 10 h.

The amount of NH 2 —CH 2 C(R 2 )R 3 CH 2 —OH is 1.0 to 1.5 mole equivalent to that of the compound of the formula (IV).

Examples of NH 2 —CH 2 C(R 2 )R 3 CH 2 —OH include 3-aminopropanol, 3-amino-2,2-dimethylethanol, 3-amino-1-methylproanol, 3-amino-2-methylpropanol, 3-amino-3-methylpropanol, 3-amino-2,2-diethylpropanol, 1-aminomethyl-1-hydroxymethylcyclopropane, 1-aminomethyl-1-hydroxymethylcyclopentane, 1-aminomethyl-1-hydroxymethylcyclohexane, 1-aminomethyl-1-hydroxymethyl4-oxacyclohexane or the like.

Process 3

This is a process for producing a compound of the formula (VI) which comprises the cyclization of the compound of the formula (V).

A method of the cyclization includes 1) a method which comprises reacting with diethylazodicarboxylate (DEAD) and triphenylphosphine (Ph 3 P), 2) a method which comprises reacting with hydrochloric acid or the like.

In the above 1), the reaction can be carried out in an aprotic solvent (e.g., diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform or the like) with stirring for 0.5 to 5 h at 0° C. to room temperature. The amount of diethylazodicarboxylate (DEAD) and triphenylphosphine (Ph 3 P) are 1.0 to 1.5 mole equivalent to that of the compound (V).

In the above 2), the reaction can be carried out in concentrated hydrochloric acid with refluxing for 0.5 to 10 h.

Process 4

This is a process for producing a compound of the formula (II) which comprises introducing R 2 (a group of the formula: —C(═R 5 )—R 6 or a group of the formula: —SO 2 R 7 wherein R 5 is O or S, R 6 is alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted amino, optionally substituted aralkyloxy, optionally substituted aralkylthio, optionally substituted aralkylamino, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl or optionally substituted aminoalkyl, R 7 is alkyl, optionally substituted amino, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl, to the compound of the formula (VI).

This process can be carried out by reacting with a compound of the formula: X—C(═R 5 )—R 6 wherein R 5 and R 6 are as defined above and X is halogen in the presence of a base (e.g., triethylamine, pyridine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine or the like). This process can be carried out under generally known conditions of N-acylation. For example, the reaction can be carried out in an aprotic solvent (e.g., diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform or the like) with stirring at 0 to 100° C. for 0.5 to 10 h.

A thioic acid ester, a compound wherein R 5 is S, R 6 is alkylthio or optionally substituted aralkylthio can be prepared by reacting with carbon dioxide (CS 2 ) in the presence of a base (e.g., sodium hydride or the like), and reacting with halogenated alkyl (e.g., methyl iodide, ethyl iodide or the like) or halogenated aralkyl (e.g., benzylbromide or the like). The reaction can be carried out in an aprotic solvent (e.g., diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform or the like) with stirring at 0° C. to room temperature.

When R 2 to be introduced is a group of the formula: —SO 2 R 7 wherein R 7 is alkyl, optionally substituted amino, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl, the compound of the formula (VI) can be reacted with a compound of the formula: R 7 SO 2 X wherein X is halogen or the like in the presence of a base.

A prodrug is a derivative which is converted to a pharmaceutically active compound of the present invention under a physiological condition. Method for the selection and process of an appropriate prodrug derivative are described in the literature such as Design of Prodrugs, Elsevier, Amsterdam 1985.

A prodrug of the present invention can be prepared by introducing a leaving group to substituents on ring A which are substitutable (e.g., amino, hydroxy or the like). Examples of a prodrug derived form a compound having an amino group includes carbamate derivatives (e.g., methylcarbamate, cyclopropylmethylcarbamate, t-butylcarbamate, benzylcarbamate or the like), amide derivatives (e.g., formamide, acetamide or the like), N-alkyl derivative (e.g., N-allylamine, N-methoxymethylamine or the like) or the like. Examples of a prodrug derived form a compound having hydroxy group include ether derivatives (methoxymethylether, methoxyethoxymethylether or the like), ester derivatives (e.g., acetate, pivaloate, benzoate or the like) or the like.

Examples of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt include basic salts (e.g., alkali metal salts such as sodium or potassium salts; alkaline-earth metal salts such as calcium or magnesium salts; ammonium salts; aliphatic amine salts such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine or procaine salts; aralkyl amine salts such as N,N-dibenzylethylenediamine salts; heterocyclic aromatic amine salts such as pyridine salts, picoline salts, quinoline salts or isoquinoline salts; quaternary ammonium salts such as tetramethylammonium salts, tetraethylammonium salts, benzyltrimethylammonium salts, benzyltriethylammonium salts, benzyltributylammonium salts, methyltrioctylammonium salts or tetrabutylammonium salts; and basic amino acid salts such as arginine salts or lysine salts). Acid addition salts include, for example, mineral acid salts such as hydrochlorides salts, sulfates salts, nitrate salts, phosphates salts, carbonates salts, hydrogen carbonates salts or perchlorates salts; organic acid salts such as acetates, propionates, lactates, maleates, fumarates, tartrates, malates, succinates, or ascorbates; sulfonates such as methanesulfonates, isethionates, benzenesulfonates, or p-toluenesulfonates; and acidic amino acid salts such as aspartates or glutamates.

A solvate includes a solvate of the compound of the formula (I), a prodrug of itself or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for example, monosolvate, disolvate, monohydrate, dihydrate or the like.

The compound of the present invention has a binding activity to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R), and binds to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) to exhibit an antagonistic activity or agonistic activity to CB2R, especially an agonistic activity to CB2R.

Therefore, the compound of the present invention can be used for treating or preventing diseases associated with the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R). For example, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96, 14228-14233, discloses that CB2R agonists have an anti-inflammatory activity and analgesic activity. Nature, 1998, 349, 277-281 discloses that CB2R agonists have an analgesic activity. European Journal of Pharmacology 396 (2000) 85-92 discloses that CB2R antagonists have an analgesic activity. Furthermore, in Cancer Research 61(2001)5784-5789 is described an agonist to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor having a degeneracy effect to brain tumor, and in European Journal of Pharmacology 396 (2000) 85-92 is described an antagonist to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor having an analgesic effect. Furthermore, in J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 2001, 296, 420-425 is described that the compound having a binding activity to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (an agonistic activity and/or antagonistic activity) exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect. In Pain, 2001, 93, 239-245 is described that the compound having an agonistic activity to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor exhibits analgesic effect.

The compound of the present invention is thought to suppress the activation of immunocyte, inflammatory cells and peripheral neurons to exhibit an activity to the peripheral cell system (e.g., an immunosuppressive activity, an anti-inflammatory activity and an analgesic activity). Thus, the present compounds can be used as anti-inflammatory agents, antiallergenic agents, analgesic agents, immunedeficiency treating agents, immunosuppressive agents, immunomodulating agents, autoimmune disease treating agents, chronic rheumatoid arthritis treating agents, multiple sclerosis treating agents or the like.

Agonists to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor are known to suppress nephritis caused by rat Thy-1 antibody in WO97/29079. Therefore, the present compounds are useful as nephritis treating agents.

When using a compound of the present invention in treatment, it can be formulated into ordinary formulations for oral and parenteral administration. A pharmaceutical composition containing a compound of the present invention can be in the form for oral and parenteral administration. Specifically, it can be formulated into formulations for oral administration such as tablets, capsules, granules, powders, syrup, and the like; those for parenteral administration such as injectable solution or suspension for intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, inhalant, eye drops, nasal drops, suppositories, or percutaneous formulations such as ointment.

In preparing the formulations, carriers, excipients, solvents and bases known to one ordinary skilled in the art may be used. Tablets are prepared by compressing or formulating an active ingredient together with auxiliary components. Examples of usable auxiliary components include pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binders (e.g., cornstarch), fillers (e.g., lactose, microcrystalline cellulose), disintegrates (e.g., starch sodium glycolate) or lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate). Tablets may be coated appropriately. In the case of liquid formulations such as syrups, solutions or suspensions, they may contain suspending agents (e.g., methyl cellulose), emulsifiers (e.g., lecithin), preservatives and the like. In the case of injectable formulations, it may be in the form of solution or suspension, or oily or aqueous emulsion, which may contain suspension-stabilizing agent or dispensing agent, and the like. In the case of an inhalant, it is formulated into a liquid formulation applicable to an inhaler. In the case of eye drops, it is formulated into a solution or a suspension.

Although an appropriate dosage of the present compound varies depending on the administration route, age, body weight, sex, or conditions of the patient, and the kind of drug(s) used together, if any, and should be determined by the physician in the end, in the case of oral administration, the daily dosage can generally be between about 0.01-100 mg, preferably about 0.01-10 mg, more preferably about 0.01-1 mg, per kg body weight. In the case of parenteral administration, the daily dosage can generally be between about 0.001-100 mg, preferably about 0.001-1 mg, more preferably about 0.001-0.1 mg, per kg body weight. The daily dosage can be administered in 1-4 divisions.

The following Examples are provided to further illustrate the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope.

The meaning of each abbreviation are shown as follows.

Me: methyl, Et: ethyl, Pr: propyl, Pr i : isopropyl, Bu: butyl, Bu i : isobutyl, Bu 5 : sec-butyl, Bu t : t-butyl, Ph: phenyl, DMF: N,N-dimethylformamide, THF: tetrahydrofuran,

Reference Example 1-1

Preparation of (2-isopropylphenyl)isothiocyanate (Compound 2)

To a mixture of 2-isopropylaniline (5.00 g), triethylamine (3.74 g) and toluene (10 ml) was added dropwise for 10 min carbon dioxide (2.81 g). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h and kept stationary for 12 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. Dichloromethane (20 ml) and triethylamine (3.74 g) were added thereto. To the reaction mixture was added ethyl chlorocarbonate (4.01 g) under ice-cooling for 10 min. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. To the reaction mixture was added 10% hydrochloric acid (20 ml). The reaction mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (60 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give (2-isopropylphenyl)isothiocyanate (6.55 g, yield: 99%) as a yellow oil.

1 H-NMR (δ ppm TMS/CDCl 3 ) 1.25 (6H, d, J=6.7), 3.25 (1H, q, J=6.7), 7.14-7.30 (4H, m).

Reference Example 1-2

Preparation of (2-isopropylphenyl)isothiocyanate (Compound 2)

To a solution of 2-isopropylaniline (1.81 g) in diethylether (20 ml) was added dropwise thiophosgene (1.54 g) under ice-cooling for 10 min. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h.

To the reaction mixture was added water (30 ml). The reaction mixture was extracted with diethylether (60 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give (2-isopropylphenyl)isothiocyanate (2.35 g, yield: 99%) as a brown oil.

Reference Example 2

Preparation of N-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N′-(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl)propylthiourea (Compound 3)

To a solution of (2-isopropylphenyl)isothiocyanate (3.30 g) in diethylether (20 ml) was added 3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropanol (1.92 g). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h and concentrated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (n-hexane/ethyl acetate) to give N-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N′-(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl)propylthiourea (4.60 g, yield: 88%) as a yellow oil.

1 H-NMR (δ ppm TMS/CDCl 3 ) 0.82 (6H, s ), 1.25 (6H, d, J=6.7), 3.11 (1H, q, J=6.7), 3.25 (2H, s), 3.55 (2H, d, J=6.3), 6.05 (1H, m ), 7.17-7.40 (4H, m ).

Reference Example 3

Preparation of 2-(2-isopropylphenyl)imino-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazine (Compound 4)

To N-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N′-(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl)propylthiourea (10.37 g) was added conc. hydrochloric acid (5 ml). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 3 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured into an aqueous solution of 20% sodium hydroxide (25 ml). The precipitated crystal was filtered and recrystallized with ethyl acetate to give 2-(2-isopropylphenyl)imino-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazine (4.80 g, yield: 50%) as a white crystal.

M.p. 155-157° C.

1 H-NMR (δ ppm TMS/CDCl 3 ) 1.15 (6H, s), 1.20 (6H, d, J=6.7), 2.67 (2H, s), 3.09 (2H, s), 3.15. (1H, q, J=6.7), 6.88 (1H, m ), 7.05-7.11 (2H, m ), 7.20 (1H, m).

Reference Example 4

Preparation of 2-(2-isopropylphenyl)imino-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazine (Compound 4)

To a solution of N-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N′-(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl)propylthiourea (1.00 g) in tetrahydrofuran (6 ml) was added dropwise thionylchloride (0.60 g). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h and concentrated under reduced pressure. To the reaction mixture were added acetonitrile (20 ml) and potasium carbonate (0.93 g). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 2 h. To the reaction mixture was added water (40 ml). The reaction mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (60 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesuim sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (n-hexane/ethyl acetate) to give 2-(2-isopropylphenyl)imino-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazine (0.45 g, yield: 48%) as a white crystal.

The following Examples were carried out by using 2-(2-isopropylphenyl)imino-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazine prepared in Reference Example 3 and 4.

The compound of the present invention represented by the formula (I) binds to the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R), and exhibits an antagonistic activity or agonistic activity to CB2R. Therefore, the compound of the present invention can be used for treating or preventing diseases associated with the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R).